Americans know Piers Morgan best as a judge on "America's Got Talent" (and possibly as the winner of "Celebrity Apprentice"). But in his native England, he was a newspaper editor and host of a popular interview program. So CNN points out in announcing that Morgan will join the cable news network in January, taking over the time slot being vacated by the retiring Larry King. Morgan says:

"I have watched 'Larry King Live' for much of the last 25 years, and dreamed of one day filling the legendary suspenders of the man I consider to be the greatest TV interviewer of them all. To now have the chance to work with Larry and Anderson (Cooper), and to try and continue the outstanding journalistic legacy created by them, and so many others at CNN, is both a great honor, and a great challenge."

Morgan will be based in New York and will also report from Los Angeles and London, CNN says. The new program -- which promises to show Morgan's "penetrating interview style and gift for unearthing the surprising detail" -- will air at 8 p.m. Central time and also be carried on CNN International.